EQUISCIENT narrator: characteristics and examples

He equiscient narrator is one in which the point of view of the narrator is focused only on one of the characters and he can only narrate what the character perceives through his senses, his feelings, his memories or what he expresses externally. He is a type of narrator that works very well in some literary works, for example, in each of the chapters of Game of Thrones, where the story follows a different character.

In this lesson from a TEACHER, we are going to explain in detail What is the equiscient narrator? We will explain its main characteristics and give you some examples so that you can see it clearly. Can you come with us?

He equiscient narrator is one who tells a story using the third person. He explains everything he sees, feels, thinks and knows, but only from a character's point of view. Everything he knows about the facts, he obtains from what is happening and from what the other characters reveal directly to him.

This narrative resource allows adding a lot of mystery to the plot

and that's why he is so popular in detective novels. Since the reader has no more information than the character has, this causes curiosity and tension in the story.

The equiscient narrator is a narrative form that is very popular beginning of the first half of the 20th century. One of the renowned writers who used this narrator in his novels is Raymond Thornton Chandler, in works such as The eternal dream.

In unProfesor we discover the different types of narrators that exist.

In order to properly assess whether the equiscient narrator adapts to the story you want to tell, you must understand well Which are your principal characteristics.

His vision is limited

This narrator's point of view sticks to one of the characters and, therefore, he cannot know what others think or what their goals are. The reader knows the same as the character he follows.

Narrates in third person

This narrator always explains the story in the third person, that is, using the singular pronouns HIM and SHE. You can also use the plural THEM or THEM, although it is less common.

Subjective narration

Meanwhile he omniscient narrator It is capable of explaining everything that happens in the story, in the case of the equiscient it can only explain what happens to the character it follows. We could say that he is like a omniscient narrator only for this character, but for no one else. Your vision of the behavior of the rest of the characters and events It's subjective and he is only capable of making conjectures and suggestions.

Generate action in the plot

The perspective of the equiscient narrator It adds a lot of dynamism to the plot. The action takes center stage and is positioned far above the characters. In fact, the characters are at the service of what is happening and their thoughts and feelings can become secondary.

Multiperspectivism

The equiscient narrator allows readers to give different perspectives of the events of history, without becoming completely an omniscient narrator. He's not as believable as this, but he also doesn't have the bias of a witness narrator.

He is an omnipresent narrator

As you already know, this narrator does not know everything about the plot, nor does he know what the other characters think or feel, but Yes, he is everywhere. This is very necessary, since through his presence, the reader has access to the events of the story that is being told.

Identify with the character

Although the narrator is not a character in the story, the value judgments he makes and the opinion he displays, They identify with the character he follows.

So you can see how the equiscient narrator works, let's put you some examples of texts. You will see that the narrator always accompanies the main character of the story.

Quote

"As the aroma wafted through the kitchen door, she prepared the table. He thought it was corny, but he put a white candle right in the center. He dusted off the record player and put on a jazz record to play in the background. He wasn't an expert at romance, but he knew she would appreciate it. While the meat roasted, she finalized the details of dessert: an apple pie that was her specialty. He adjusted the cushions of the chair, poured wine into a glass and leaned against the wall, while he looked out the window waiting for his arrival. He was nervous, as if it was the first time he had a date. But she was special, she always had been. And, after years of working together, he had finally had the courage to invite her to dinner. Everything had to be perfect or she would never forgive him."

The rupture

"José left his girlfriend's house devastated. Multiple sad thoughts passed through his mind. He felt devastated. The memories hit his chest, causing tears to flow uncontrollably. He stopped under an oak tree, leaned her back against the trunk, and slid to the ground. The crying choked him uncontrollably.

“Why?” she asked herself over and over again inside of her. “What did I do wrong?”, she said to herself. The truth is that just two days ago, she and he were the perfect courtship. They had the basic problems, but nothing that was worrying or that indicated that a breakup would happen."

Breakfast

"It was barely six o'clock, but the sun that filtered through the curtains did not allow him to continue sleeping. He put on his robe, put on his slippers and quietly, so as not to wake anyone, went down the stairs. He locked himself in the kitchen and, while the kettle was heating the water for tea, she looked out the window, through which she saw how the dew covered her garden, highlighting even more the tones of the grass and the flowers. She was cold, but the tea helped her feel it less. She knew she was in for a difficult day but she tried not to get discouraged. When the clock struck seven, she went upstairs, grabbed the clothes she had left ready the night before and took a hot shower, like every morning. Half an hour later, she started her car heading to work, while her husband waved her off from the porch with her cup of coffee in one hand and the newspaper in the other. "

Now you know everything about equiscient narrator, its characteristics and examples. Do you think he is the most suitable narrator for your next text? If you want to continue learning more about the types of narrators in literature, do not hesitate to consult our writing section.